Sinking shafts in the earth



(No Model.)

A. G- CARTER. SINKING SHAPTS IT THE EARTH.

No. 457,770. Patented Aug. 18, 1891.

.. #SYN Wfffm'ssz's ma ncmms persas w., mmoarm, wlsnmsron, o. 1:.

UNITED STATES PATENT CEETCE.

ALFRED GIPSON CARTER, OF VEBB CITY, MISSOURI.

SINKING SHAFTS IN THE EARTH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 457,770, dated August 18, 1891.

Application led Apn'l 22, 1891.

To @ZZ whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED GIPsoN Cna TER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vebb City, in the county of Jasper and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sinking Shafts in the Earth by the Previous Use of High Explosives; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The gure represents a vertical section of ground illustrating the application of the method. A

This invention relates to an improved method of sinking shafts for mining purposes.

To carry ont this method, a bore or hole A of small diameter-say six inches-is drilled in any suitable manner to the desired depth of the shaft to be made. Down this bore by means of a rope B are lowered one after another cartridges C of nitro-glycerine or other high explosive. These cartridges are made of any suitable material and have the lower ends o pointed and the tops c concave, so that the point c of one cartridge will tit into the top c of the one below, holding them snugly in place. Each cartridge has a bail or handle c2, by which it is secured to the rope B. In these cartridges are placed the usual exploders, which are connected to Wires D D', running to a battery E at a convenient point on the surface. All of the cartridges need not be connected With the Wires, but simply ati Serial No. 389,994. (No model.)

convenient intervals, as shown. T hese cartridges are attached to the rope B and 10W- ered one after another until the bore A is iilled. By closing the circuit through the Wires D D the cartridges are exploded. Practrice has demonstrated that the explosion of this column of cartridges will disintegrate and loosen the surrounding earth or rock'for such a distance that it can be readily removed without drilling.

This method thus enables a shaft to be sunk Without any necessity for drilling, except the small bore for receiving the cartridges.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. The method ot' sinking sl1.ifts,\vhich consists in making a bore ot' small diameter to the depth of the shaft to be sunk, lowering cartridges therein, one on top of another, some of said cartridges at intervals containing eX- ploders communicating with an electric battery, and then exploding the column of cartridges, as set forth.

2. As a means forsinking shafts, a column of cartridges, each cartridge having a concave top, a pointed lower end, and a bail, in combination with a rope to which the bails are attached, as set forth.

In testimony WhereofIaflix my signature in presence ot two Witnesses.

ALFRED GIPSON CARTER.

Vitnesses:

JOHN N. WILSON, JOHN BOSTON. 

